David C. is Cooking it Up on the Idol Stage Tonight

If the pattern holds, we’ll revisit my favorite decade this week on American Idol. But first, can we get past all the controversy? I knew from the very beginning that David Hernandez wasn’t being all that truthful when he said he sang in dinner theater or something like that. I remember telling my husband there was something "different" about this guy. Sure 'nuff … his work has been in nude stripping for a mostly male clientele. We’ll find out this week if that revelation will have any effect on David H.’s American Idol future.

Then there’s that other Fruit Loop – Danny Noriega. Google him if you don’t already know. It’s just too creepy to repeat.

Now that we’ve gotten past the drama, let’s get to the music.

Luke Menard, 29
Wham!/"Wake Me Up Before You Go Go"
When I started my car this morning, the first song I heard on my God-given XM satellite radio was Wham!’s "Wake Me Up Before You Go Go." I didn’t realize how good George Michael was until Luke Menard made it feel so … so … yucky. Simon called it "girlie." Oh, and it was bad too.

David Archuleta, 17
Phil Collins/"Another Day in Paradise"
It wasn’t David’s best performance but I was impressed that he picked a Phil Collins tune that wasn’t "Against All Odds." He started out at the piano, which amazed me, and with perfect timing he took the mike and came out in front of the audience. But what’s really important to note here is that I love him. I love him. I love him. I love him. I want to gobble him up.

Danny Noriega, 18
Soft Cell/"Tainted Love"
Yuck. Yuck. Yuck. He thinks he’s something and he is, I just don’t know what. And the judges are about to make me puke out of my eyeballs until Simon speaks reason and says it best: "Absolutely useless."

David Hernandez, 24
Celine Dion/"It’s All Coming Back to Me Now."
Surprisingly much better than I expected. He didn’t hold the notes as long as Celine does but, still, despite a few pitch problems, it was enjoyable.

Michael Johns, 29
Simple Minds/"Don’t You Forget About Me"
I’m not sure this was a good song choice for his voice. It’s not bad … but it doesn’t make me want to undress him either. My God, will someone stuff a sock in Paula’s mouth? Now???!!!

David Cook, 25
Lionel Richie/"Hello"
One thing I’ve loved about David Cook is his amazing ability to take old songs and make them new again. It took me a minute to realize I was listening to a Lionel Richie tune. I remember the first time I heard this song I told my parents it was going to Number 1 on Billboard and, of course, it did. I have no doubt that if David Cook released his rendition today, it would go straight to Number 1 too. It’s the best performance of the night so far, to me – even better than Archuleta – because he really makes this song his own. Nice. Very, very nice. I would even say "amazing." Let’s make that AMAZING!!!

Jason Castro, 20
Leonard Cohen/"Hallelujah"
Another amazing voice. I could like so totally see Jason producing a modern-day folk album.

Chikezie Eze, 22
Luther Vandross/"All the Woman I Need"
It was a good performance for him. I think it was enough to keep him in the competition one more week.

Here’s who I predict should go home Thursday night: PAULA ABDUL. Seriously, though, I’d like to see Danny Noriega and Luke Menard to be shown the exit. But for safety’s sake, perhaps they also should make sure Michael Johns is aware of the way out too. Not his best. But … he’s still hot. The husband seems to think Chikezie may not have it so "easy" this week.

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